"He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings." Psalm 40:2

When you live through a short-term emergency, most of your ordinary daily tasks and goals are put on hold. Things get behind, you get through the worst of the emergency, do what you can, and then catch up once things calm down. When you live through a long-term, consuming crisis…

…I’ve reflected on many things over the last year. Several facets of the transitions stand out. Some beautifully, and some not so much. Our oldest will be 19 years old next month. At the end of last summer he left home, joined the Marines, and so began his next chapter with a bang. Simultaneously, I snuggled a little baby.

I also observed. Myself, mostly. And I reflected. Remembered. Made connections.

It’s a glorious adventure, parenthood. I love it.

As I remember my experiences as a first-time mom, while walking through experiences as a fourth-time mom after a long gap, two things continue to stand out to me…

Old trials persisted. New trials blew in. Some resolved. Some still seem as if they’ll never move out…but I am aware that my perceptions are clouded. God is always in control, always trustworthy, and always knows best.